以前(いぜん)

いぜん
noun/adverb
before, formerly, previously
See also: 依然(いぜん) (still, as before (依然))
1. before, prior to
Earlier than a specified time or event.
3年(ねん)以前(いぜん)の話(はなし)です。
It's a story from more than 3 years ago.
以前(いぜん)の状態(じょうたい)に戻(もど)す。
To restore to the previous state.
出発(しゅっぱつ)以前(いぜん)に準備(じゅんび)を終(お)えた。
I finished preparations before departure.
結婚(けっこん)以前(いぜん)の生活(せいかつ)に戻(もど)りたい。
I want to return to life before marriage.
午後(ごご)3時(じ)以前(いぜん)に届(とど)けてください。
Please deliver it before 3 PM.
2. formerly, in the past
At some time in the past.
以前(いぜん)ここに住(す)んでいました。
I used to live here before.
以前(いぜん)お会(あ)いしたことがありますね。
We've met before, haven't we?
以前(いぜん)は喫煙者(きつえんしゃ)だった。
I used to be a smoker.
以前(いぜん)からこの店(みせ)を知(し)っていた。
I've known about this shop for a while.
以前(いぜん)の仕事(しごと)は大変(たいへん)だった。
My former job was difficult.

以前(いぜん) indicates "before" in time.

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 以前(いぜん)は (before, formerly)
  • X以前(いぜん) (before X, prior to X)
  • 以前(いぜん)の + noun (former ~, previous ~)
  • 以前(いぜん)から (from before, for a while)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 以前(いぜん): before (formal, specific point)
  • 前(まえ): before, in front (common, general)
  • かつて: once, formerly (literary)

NOTE:

  • Different from 依然(いぜん) (still, as before) - same reading, different kanji
core
Added 2026.1.9 21:15 · Revised 2026.3.25 23:52
01500/01790_izen